T Lewis: Lloyd leads England's march into real world (23 Aug 1998)

23 August 1998

Lloyd leads march into real world

By Tony Lewis

IT IS time to love our England cricketers. Did you notice that there was lots of strong cheering for England throughout the one-day match against Sri Lanka, even though victory vanished? It is all about the wonderful fightback and win over South Africa. You could actually see character and that needs our best support.

I can even live comfortably with another England batting collapse. I look the other way or do a crossword or drive in the earplugs of my CD player so as not to hear foreign appeals. We have made two leaps forward - firstly we no longer have to hype England cricket as a product in the market place and that is because, secondly, the lads themselves have shown us how they can hack through a jungle without fanfares and come out carrying roses.

A couple of seasons ago we believed that our cricketers were fine but their lives on tour needed upgrading. We wanted them to have status at all times. We were prompted to acclaim the advance of a world-beating England side. Failure against Zimbabwe and others led to cynicism. Pump up expectations and the road is open to failure, disbelief and cynicism.

David Lloyd, the England coach, spun romances of the possibilities of play, invented new ways of gelling team spirit and the dressing rooms glowed with Elgar . . . but we lost.

Lloyd's performances this summer, however, have been top class. I noted in all his media interviews he underlined comments with realism. England have long been lumbered with exaggerated hopes and the players are loaded with expectations of great old days returning.

Lloyd appears less ready to talk up England's chances. He is wonderful to have around a team and most perceptive. After Headingley he thought England should not be shy about getting on to the balcony to acknowledge their supporters. He was right. We are often too self-effacing in victory.

He got the right amount of confident stagecraft out of the team because he wanted it to be an unforgettable moment for the players. It was a chance for winning to enter the bloodstream.

Enjoying the winning process leads to more wins. Should a tight situation arise in Australia next winter the toughness drawn from the South African series will kick in. The will to fight off a barrage of fast bowling to win a Test will be ingrained, especially after Trent Bridge.

It is important to go to Australia with few words now that our actions are sending the signals. We are a better team because we know we are: no one has to tell us or promote us.

I would love to squash the anti-England dialogue among former players, straight from Pseuds Corner in Private Eye - "they'd be better players with lighter bats, y'know, and on uncovered pitches. Look at that Hick - bang or block, no touch. Just think how Kenny Barrington . . . and look who we've got in Ian Botham's role these days. Mark Ealham? Ian Austin? Adam Hollioake? Dominic Cork? Lilliputians, old boy."

The fascination of cricketers is that they grapple with a difficult craft with varying amounts of success. Their high days delight us and maybe help to win a professional match. We onlookers need to keep our expectations reasoned, giving them space in which to grow. It is counter-productive to blow hot air about a dream team or imagine that their form in the last two Tests can be frozen and reproduced for the Ashes. That would disaffect the followers who themselves do not want to deal in shattered dreams. Back to the CD earplugs.

Many seasons ago, when I batted as a freshman at Cambridge University, I collected a number of forties which were not to the pleasure of Cyril Coote, the groundsman-guru. "Mr May would never have got out then, sir," he repeated day after day. "Mr May used to play that early, sir, kept the ball in the V." Wonderful advice, but it meant I was labouring in the shadow of a great player and unlikely ever to emerge.

It is possible that Andy Flintoff said to himself: "Hell! I'm in Botham's role. Whack it about and nip in for few wickets." Or more dangerous still, he may imagine that people are saying that he is a modern-day Botham.

Lloyd is just the man to have around because he has been through it. Remember how fixed was the opening partnership of Boycott and Amiss. Boycott withdrew for personal reasons and in came Lloyd. It was a difficult act to follow. He might have been a bundle of inhibitions but he got his big double-hundred at Edgbaston and was soon fighting off Lillee and Thomson as profitably as anyone in 1974-75. It is what you do which counts - not what you are trumpeted to do or you think you are predestined to do.

England lost the one-day match last Thursday but left much to adore - Knight's catching, Athers sprinting in treacle, Alec's acrobatics standing back, Gough's defiant smile after being hit on the ankle. I liked Mullally's mean line too - he looks a predator and I am glad he is on my side.

England lost. But in the absence of claims that embryo world-beaters were at large, we loved them and will be by their side at the Oval this week.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)